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The Sun Sport 17 Jul 2026 45 here now

How Spain’s secret ‘blind side’ tactic will baffle Argentina

The World Cup final is here! Spain take on Lionel Messi's Argentina in New York - but which tactical approach will lift football's biggest prize?

In this episode of Tactics Exposed Team Talk, SunSpor

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Aren't you the same people who said that you shoud man-mark Messi? I can't take you seriously.
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But if you tell them they’ll know!
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Every game is different and every min is different and every second is different and every milli second is different from planning happens on the ground.. Who ever adapts to the reality during the game wins the game. ❤❤❤❤
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@MS-ii1sv From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 5
Will it baffle them? I remember seeing videos about how England is going to own Argentina. I'm sure Argentina is aware of everything you're aware of and will prepare accordingly.
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@AraP24 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 4
Spain will easily win this and everyone will act like they knew it all along.
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Argentina players have played how Spain play, it's not new to them.
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People keep talking about Spain's famous 6-second press and ability to regain possession, but football isn't that simple. Spain's pressing system is excellent, no doubt, but Argentina brings a completely different challenge.

Remember, Argentina doesn't just rely on tactics—they play with an aggressive, physical, warrior-like mentality. They compete for every ball, fight for every duel, and never make life comfortable for their opponents. This is a team that thrives under pressure and embraces the battle side of football.

Spain may want to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, but Argentina won't just sit back and watch. They'll press, tackle, disrupt passing lanes, and look to turn defensive moments into dangerous attacks. The moment Argentina breaks that first line of pressure, they have the quality and attacking intent to hurt any team.

What many people forget is that Spain's style depends on control. Argentina's style is often about intensity, resilience, directness, and capitalizing on key moments. That's why this matchup is so fascinating. Spain will try to impose their rhythm, while Argentina will try to turn the game into a battle where mentality, physicality, and at
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2026 world cup key tactical question: how to stop grandpa
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@DiegoMai From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 2
It has already been proven that Messi cannot be marked man-to-man or zonally; it requires a hybrid approach, and that shouldn't be messed with.
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@Triple7_ok From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 162
Mike Tyson said... Everybody has a plan until they get punch in the face....
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Here we go again!!!....Argentina can adapt to any situation, 4 years ago in the final for most of the game they dominated with possession type football similar to what Spain did to France. Theres many ways Argentina can setup to play.
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88% is just ridiculous. and knuckle heads still call him overrated
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I would like to add two more factors, the weight of a FIFA final and the resilence of the players under adverce conditions.
IMO only one of the teams have shown, several times, that can handle these human factors very well.
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Tactics aside, Argentina’s roaring fans and deeply emotional players may just be the difference. The World Cup simply means more to them!
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Everyone knows that France relied on the counter . A lot of people will be surprised that Argentina will be able to handle the tiki taka style that Spain like to use. Argentina is more versatile than France was. They will be able to adapt. This will come down to whoever winds that midfield.
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"will baffle" sounds a bit too much talk in advance. Remember Mbappé and Dembelé versus Spain this week....unstoppable?
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@crissio From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 43
everyone got a plan until they get messi'ed in their face
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The content of the video contradict the title
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@Wladislav From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 47
I find it unlikely that Spain are going to baffle Argentina tactically, considering Lionel Scaloni literally studied under Luis de la Fuente.
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end of the day..its a team play
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@liuxian558 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 61
Spain has talent & skills. But the question is, can that sustain relentless pressing, mentality & messi magic for 90! minutes...?
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2026 world cup = how to stop 39 years old Messi 🤣😂
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@way_no6810 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 48
Argentina is not France. Spain's midfield will be they weakness when playing Argentina. Argentina plays a multi-dimensional game. Great analysis!
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@jocko7410 From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 41
An Argentina Cup victory is better for English fans. This way you know for sure that you were beaten by a better team.
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@blinga-m7y From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 51
I don't support Spain in the final. I started supporting Barça because of Messi. Yeah, my mind is saying Spain will win, but I'm fully going to support Argentina and Messi.
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@Sea0tteryx From YouTube ↗ 17 Jul 2026 186
Everything makes sense on paper until the goat starts scanning the pitch…
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Messi is The Baba Yaga of Football😂❤
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Well, it's not a secret now then is it?
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Who understands the football of Spain better than The GOAT who was trained in La Masia : Lionel Messi 😂 ggs
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You are completely correct about the fundamental difference between England and Spain. England utilized a highly physical, reactive approach to block Lionel Messi.
Spain’s philosophy, however, is built on proactive, positional dominance. They will not compromise their entire system just to man-mark one player.
As you rightly noted, Messi dropping deep into the midfield alters the entire mathematical dynamic of the game.
The Dilemma for Spain:
Spain typically operates with Rodri as a lone defensive anchor in front of their two center-backs. When Messi drops deep, he creates a 4v3 or a 5v3 overload in Argentina’s favor alongside Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul.
The Space in Zone 14:
If Rodri steps up to press Messi in midfield, it leaves Zone 14 completely vacant. If Spain's center-backs step out to close that gap, they leave space behind them for Argentina's strikers.
Your prediction about Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez getting high-quality service is the logical conclusion of Messi dominating Zone 14 [Al Jazeera].
Exploiting Spain's High Defensive Line:
Spain plays with an aggressively high defensive line to keep their team compact.
The Killer Pass